By Ian Aldous: On Saturday November 2nd, Curtis ‘Kryptonite’ Stevens (25-3) steps up to the plate to challenge Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin (27-0) for his WBA and IBO world middleweight titles at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, live on HBO. The chance to make himself a true player in the division and pound-for-pound rankings lay ahead if he can pull off the win. Last week Ellen Haley of Main Events kindly mediated an interview with Curtis on my behalf.
As things stand Golovkin is one of the hottest properties in the sport and justifiably so. Undefeated with twenty-four knockouts in his twenty-seven wins shows that he could prove to be the toughest test a fighter can face – elite amateur pedigree and devastating knockout power. “He’s a great fighter overall I believe. I don’t think it is as much as people are saying it is (his power). He has power but the power they say he possesses, no. If that was the case, he would have more first round knockouts. He’d have knocked (Kassim) Ouma out in the first round if he had all this power, he’d have knocked Gabriel Rosado out in the first round or even in the first five rounds! Even (Matthew) Macklin, he’d have knocked Macklin out in the first or second round. He caught him with body shots in the third round but Macklin was a scared puppy so that doesn’t count.”
You can’t doubt the confidence of a man, when I ask the question of ‘who’s the best 160lbs fighter in the world other than yourself?’ He replies “My shadow.”
As previously mentioned, the challenge facing Curtis on November 2nd is a daunting one but one that could reap rewards other than two title belts. A victory could give him true star power in boxing with a decisive win over one of the pound-for-pound best and possibly even recognition outside boxing. “It takes me to the next level because HBO and everyone has Gennady as a superstar. I believe he can be a superstar in the making, he hasn’t had the longevity. They have him in Ring Magazine as a wrecking machine. He’s called the most feared middleweight in the world, I called him out for that purpose because I like to fight the best. I want to fight someone that no-one wants to fight as they were saying.”
It’s fair to say that Stevens isn’t exactly humbled by the fact he’ll be sharing a ring with Golovkin and his WBA & IBO championships. He made it clear after a comprehensive first-round destruction of Saul Roman in August that the fight with GGG is one he wanted. “I’m the one that called him out, he didn’t call me out. It’s something I wanted. I thought about it way before I even called him out. I want to fight the best. I was off for a two year hiatus so he comes (and becomes champion) and I was doing my thing, fighting anybody.”
At twenty-eight years of age and having been a pro for nine years, the opportunity of fighting for a world title surely validates all the hard work and dedication that he’s put into the sport. The big time may await him. “I’ve been wanting this ever since I was eight years old, to fight for a world title and now it’s here. I’m ready for the big time but not just yet, but it’s one of my goals (winning the title). But when I become a two-time two-division champ then yes I’ve made it to the big time.”
Having now had the chance to gauge opinions of fans and the media, does Stevens think that many people are giving him a chance of toppling the Kazakh? “If it was up to them I’d have had my check and the fight already happened three weeks ago and I was getting knocked out in the third round or I’m not going past six. It’s everyone’s opinion, that’s my drive and my motivation. That’s the thing I like when people doubt me and the crazy thing is this is my first time ever being the underdog I believe. This is the first time ever I have a lot to prove and people to prove wrong.”
With the knockout power that Curtis possesses, it might seem that a stoppage would be the most likely way he could take the gold from GGG. The undeniable amateur skills will be incredibly difficult to overcome and a decision victory might be a step too far. Unsurprisingly he doesn’t agree. “Wherever the fight goes, I’m gonna be victorious that night. If it comes with the knockout, I’m coming ready to fight and I’m coming in shape. I’m ready to go twelve rounds, however it may play out, I’m gonna become champion at the end of the night.”
Since the fight was announced in September, Stevens and his team will have studied every single avenue to overcome GGG. It’s interesting to contemplate how Golovkin and his team view Curtis as an opponent. “It all depends whose mind is working in the camp. He knows I’m powerful, I don’t know if he believes I’m that skilful in a sense. But he knows I can fight.” He’s heard rumors of who Gennady is sparring in preparation for the fight and is less than impressed. “I don’t know what kinda game plan they gonna be having if they got them guys up there because I don’t fight nothing like them.”
Back in September, Stevens posted a picture on twitter of a mock-funeral for GGG. It’s something that some may find distasteful, while doing the job of hyping a fight. It was similar to when David Haye wore a t-shirt portraying himself holding aloft the heads of both Klitschko brothers above their lifeless bodies. It appears that the stunt Curtis pulled got to Golovkin. “He already said he was pissed off about it and he wants a street fight, so I respect that. I touched a nerve somewhere in his body.”
Last of all, I’ll leave it to Curtis to tell everyone the scenario that will play out on November 2nd. “Bell rings, Golovkin comes out jabbing, Stevens come out slipping, Stevens throws a jab, Golovkin throws a jab, Golovkin peppers Stevens’ body, Stevens laughs at him, Golovkin comes with a punch and ohhhhhhhhh Golovkin goes down! He tries to make the count and he falls on the judges’ table (laughs).”
Presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events and Madison Square Garden, tickets for this highly anticipated showdown are on sale now at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com
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